Since trading Pau Gasol to the L.A. Lakers in 2008, the Memphis Grizzlies and their owner Michael Heisley have been getting grief from opposing players and coaches, the media, barbershop critics, season-ticket holders, school children and their grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles, friends and neighbors for basically gift-wrapping an NBA championship to the Lakers. That may … [Read more…]
Prior to Thursday night’s TNT game between the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers, the basketball world knew very little about Sundiata Gaines. After Gaines sank the game-winning shot at the buzzer to lift the Jazz to a 97-96 victory over the Cavaliers in Utah, Jazz fans were signing his name. His teammates, guys he’s … [Read more…]
Kobe Bryant has been abusing defenders for much of his career. But last week against the Golden State Warriors in front of all his fans at Staples Center, Bryant felt a little rejected and it came from a familiar face. Warrioars forward-center Ronny Turiaf turned the tables on his former Laker teammate when he challenged … [Read more…]
When it comes to governing a major professional sports league, nobody is as efficient and calculated as David Stern. For more than 25 years as NBA commissioner, he has been able to manipulate situations in order to stimulate his billion-dollar empire. He has presided over the two most successful decades in the history of the … [Read more…]
My friend Michael Eaves from Fox Sports Net was kind enough to share his observation on University of Kentucky freshman sensation John Wall. Eaves recently wrote on his Facebook page: “Over the weekend, I worked the Kansas vs. UCLA game at Pauley Pavilion as part of the Big-12/Pac-10 hardwood series. In case you missed it, … [Read more…]
Dear Santa: Last June, I was deprived of a Kobe Bryant-LeBron James matchup in the NBA Finals when LeBron and the Cleveland Cavaliers were unceremoniously dumped by the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference finals. I know I’ve already asked a ton of gifts this Christmas but I would like one more present. I would … [Read more…]
To find out the real reason why the Denver Nuggets are so hard to beat at the Pepsi Center, look no further than the crew of beautiful and talented women who take center court during time-outs and halftime shows. The Denver Nuggets Dance Team has a big following not just in the NBA circles, but … [Read more…]
I hate to do this to my guy Derek Fisher because he’s such a great dude, but I have to be fair. Fisher was recently victimized by Minnesota’s Corey Brewer, who threw down one hellacious dunk over Fisher at Staples Center. It started with a turnover by Pau Gasol on one end. Al Jefferson picked … [Read more…]
Before we crown Brandon Jennings this season’s rookie of the year, let’s not overlook a young King in Sacramento who is quietly putting together just as good of a season – if not better. Tyreke Evans doesn’t get the same media attention as Jennings because he plays for a small-market team in Northern California and, … [Read more…]
It’s a marriage made in Hollywood heaven. Allen Iverson returning to Philadelphia to end his week-old retirement and playing for the 76ers is tantamount to Rocky Balboa dusting off the gloves and fighting Mason Dixon. It makes perfect sense, right? Unfortunately, the Sixers have yet to win a game since Iverson rejoined the franchise and … [Read more…]